Comments on: 2007 Kia Grand Carnival Road Test

By: Darryl

Darryl — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 10:34:08 +0000

I have a 1999 Carnival Ls. Believe it or not….190000kms.
No engine trouble.
Have read the comments here, and am convinced to upgrade to post 2006 Grand Carnival! Inspected inside of one today, am in love! I need to have one!…..at a good price of course.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 03:08:26 +0000

Have a 2007 Grand Carnival – love it. With 4 kids and occasional grandparents – takes all onboard comfortably. We chose it originally because it was the only people mover that could take the family, strollers plus shopping etc…with plenty of power. Yes – it does chew up fuel – particularly depending on driving styles (my wife uses less fuel than I do …surprise), but it’s a big vehicle that is capable of moving quickly. Have driven to Syd, Melb, Bris, Adelaide and around Tassie…90k never had any major issues.
Other than fuel – the only a couple of issues – factory tyres are poor – changed to Goodyear – but they scalloped, more regular wheel alignments would have helped, but it’s an issue Kia should investigate. Currently have Bridgestone – going great. Brakes tend to wear quickly with machining required….again could reflect driving style, particularly with such a heavy car.
Keen to explore LPG. Overall..would recommend as very fit for my purposes – not luxury –but does the job I need exceptionally well.

By: dario

dario — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 07:51:35 +0000

I might be onto something with high city cycle fuel consumption.I’ve noticed my july 2007 grand carnival changes up into 3rd,4th& 5th too soon,it also seems to hog 3rd for every corner even @ 20km/h.This makes the engine labour,& with little to no torque below 2000rpm,it really makes the tranny slip & engine bog down,hence high fuel cosumption. Another thing I noticed when in sequential shift mode,it never changes down from 3rd to 2nd with the programmed override,it jumps straight to 1st @ approx 18kp/h,very annoying. One more issue with the auto, it needs a lot of pedal travel to force it to change down a gear,when it does you feel like you’re giving it to her.I would like to hear from other fertile GC drivers if they agree. Size matters! go the Grand!

By: Robert Wooley

Robert Wooley — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:32:51 +0000

I have had my Grand Carnival Premium for 2 years now. Just run up 65,000km, and just replaced the 4 tyres.
I love my GC, Electric Doors are great.
I took the middle centre seat out of the car, we dont need to use it. makes enrty to back seats even easier.
I can lower the rear seat and carry heaps.
I have added a Rear Camera beside number plate and a LCD review mirror. I have a box trailer with a Camera also, so when reversing the trailer camera works. I chose the car for my Novated Lease.
i intend to buy the CRD Platium next year.
I have had no problems at all, and for the price the package is the best on the market.

By: david mckee

david mckee — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:52:07 +0000

well well people were still winging about the old 2001 carnival. Kia has come a long long way since 2001 it would be good if some of you people had the same memory about bad politions get over it deep breath in out ps how about lifting the bonnet check the oil and water or did,nt dad teach you how to do that it takes 5 minuites of your timeit could save you a whole lot of money and that goes with any brand of car not just kia

By: kate

kate — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:50:45 +0000

• 2005 kia carnival brought may 2006 with 11 000km on the clock
• 94000 kms just stopped whilst driving it no warning, no noises nothing.
• Cam shaft seized
• Timing belt thrown
• One head damaged by the above
• Opposite side bottom end pistons burnt and overheated
• Little or no oil and water to one side of engine due to carbonisation blockages caused by poor quality rings
• Mechanic advised not worth repairing engine is a write off
• Unable to purchase new motor, have to purchase second hand motor and rebuild $8000 plus!
• Financially unviable to repair.
• Was worth $10 000 to $16 000 now worth NIL
• Left owing money, no car with 5 kids and a frail age mother in my care.

The car dealer we brought it from said too bad out of warranty
Kia said if it had done under 90 000 kms they may have covered parts only.

By: eddie

eddie — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:23:53 +0000

Have a 2007 Grand. Converted to run on LPG (80L LPG tank – 320KM). Huge saving. as compared to running on Petrol alone. The only complaint I have is that the Engine Light will come and go off. Any mate having the same problem on the engine light? Anyway, the 2007 Grand is a great car to have. If only KIA will not void the engine warranty after teh conversion.

By: sam

sam — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 11:30:38 +0000

i have 12/08 ex australian tennis grand carnival premium,best investment i ever done,(wish i could say the same about my wife)lol…..love the car nice black all lether and my right foot loves it…..i recomend you to buy one,,,,stuff the tarago…had one for 1 week too slugish, not the same luggage room, not much passenger space like the grand carnival,never go back to a tarago…well done kia,cant wait for the next new shape ….

By: Dave

Dave — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 06:55:06 +0000

By the way it’s A KIA Grand Carnival first registered 04/2007, 78628ks

By: Dave

Dave — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 06:51:48 +0000

Today I bought a 11/2006 build 12/2006 Compliance KIA Carnival, I hope I’ve done the right thing (traded a AUIII Ford Falcon XR8), can any one tell me if there is anything I should look out for.

By: matthew

matthew — Sat, 23 May 2009 12:04:04 +0000

just bought 2007 grand carnival auto seems to take a while to engage into drive from reverse and slips auto fluid level all good antone else haveing this problem?

By: Sedona dragon

Sedona dragon — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 11:47:45 +0000

We have a Aug06 Grand Carni with the Premium pack $43990 d/away (power sliding doors,ESP, rear sensors ,leather everything ..top of the line at that time before the Platinum came out last year).Took delivery in Jan 07 with the $1k cashback and 6yr/200,000 km warranty. 2 years later and nearly 24,000 kms ( mainly home to school trips and one Sydney/Gold Coast trip last year) we are very happy with it , no problems whatsoever. Lots of room for luggage for a family of 6 with 4 girls.

When I first bought the GC i was told by a mechanic at a party I went to to sell it straight away. Because they are unreliable and the engine was a piece of crap!!! I asked him what model he was talking about…..it was a 2000 model carnival. I told him they are far more superior now and that it was wrong for him to compare two different models and judge them as being the same….much like comparing a 1989 EA Falcon 3 speed auto to a ‘08 Falcon XT.

Like the previous postings have said rent one out before you buy..Europecar have a lot of them….

By: Muz

Muz — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:09:36 +0000

Had our ‘06 Grand Carnival for 45000 k’s now, and LOVE IT!!!

Why are there still ignorant people trying to compare this model with the earlier ones??? Have you heard of GOOGLE??? They are actually a rebadged Hyundai Entourage, as they are known in America. First people mover to recieve 3 gold stars for front, rear, side impact testing in Yankee land.

With regards to fuel usage, i’m an a-grade mechanic. I know they have 15000 k service intervals, but the engine in these are so well built (Mitsubishi engines, same as the engine in a Hyundai Granduer, only detuned slightly), with such close tolerances, once the oil starts to break down and degrade – around 6000-7000 k’s, watch your economy go out the window. I change my oil& filter religously every 5 thousand, and get around 14L around town, a best of 9L on the highway. It’s all how you drive it too!!! Don’t winge at the car using fuel because you cannot control your right foot, and have to beat every VE Crappodore off the lights. It weighs over 2 tonnes, with 187 k’w (more than a vs ss v8 btw) – what do you think gets it going in the first place?? Be gentle with the foot, and you will get the economy – and change your oil religiously!!

Only beef – CRAPPY TYRES!! Useless size 22570r16. Soft, crappy Kumho’s with regular small car pattern on a truck!! Mine almost due, but out of shape and noisey like nothing else!! Rotated and balanced religously every five thousand, wheel alignment every 10000. That is seriously my ownly gripe.

Otherwise – brilliant!!! Go and buy one if you thinking about it, stop your judging and hire one for a weekend if your a sceptic, or continue to enjoy if you already wised up to the fact that there is nothing on the market that can come close regards to value for money!!

By: ROSMAN BIN MOHD NORDIN

ROSMAN BIN MOHD NORDIN — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 18:57:52 +0000

I am using Kia Carnival year 2000 but engine 2005..
Few months ago i was change my gearbox but after 3 months still having a problem.. My question is how to get the original gearbox? How much the price?

Thanks

Rosman bin Mohd Nordin
No 28, Jalan 14/108, Taman Salak Jaya
57100 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia

By: Nobby

Nobby — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 05:26:00 +0000

Herbert

I sent Kia Australia an email about this in January and they stated that they currently have no plans to introduce to Australia. I had a 2.9 CRDI carnival in the UK, But europe only has 7 seat SWB models for sale. I done some research and Kia are sticking the same 2.9 CRDI into the Grand Models in South Africa. visit kia.co.sa Cost wise would be more expensive to run due to the 20c spread in fuel cost and performance wise, the 2.7 petrol seems better than the 2.9 diesel I had.

By: Nobby

Nobby — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 05:17:01 +0000

Got 22.5% off the on road price of my last purchase at Kia(Brand new 2005 LS Carnival).

Just about to start negotiating a price for a brand new Grand Carnival Premium. (RRP $44990 with some dealers offering $42990 Driveaway)

Any ideas what the cheapest price one could expect on this?

By: Herbert

Herbert — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:10:53 +0000

hi, just want to know if anyone of you have any review/s or comment/s about the new KIA carnival diesel edition ?

By: Herbert

Herbert — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:09:10 +0000

Hi, just want to ask if you have any review/s or comment/s about the new KIA Carnival diesel edition ?

By: Tezza

Tezza — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:43:56 +0000

Tezza Says:
August 20th, 2008 at 12:10 am

I own Territory 7 seat TX 2 Wheel drive have had for 2 years since brand new, it now sits in the garage waiting to be sold and the Grand Carnival Premium is now in the driveway, for those of you out there who have a large family (There is 6 in ours) and own a Territory 7 seater a question ? How much space to you have left over when you go on the family holiday for luggage???????? I know the answer to this one “BUGGER ALL” you need to have the mother in law coffin on the roof to put your suit cases in. Plus this car is a rocketship for its size KIA needs to be commended for their efforts on this one.

By: justin

justin — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 23:26:20 +0000

I purchased a 2007 model EX Safety Pack Carnival in May this year.
3500K klms later we have nothing but praise for the quality and options for a veh at this price.
The comfort and space is unmatched with other stated options either too dear, too small or under powered.
I spent 7 months in detail planning a purchase and looked at other options. I did take in to accout the KIA history. However with the Australian Tennis Open sponsership and the marked improvment in commitment with the 5 yrs guarantee it was an easy decision.

Take one for a drive before you judge.
Remember to not compare the Grand to the KIA carnivals of old!!!!!